Dufour Classic 36
Built 2000–2004 by Dufour Yachts (France)
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About the Dufour Classic 36
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 2000–2004
- Builder
- Dufour Yachts (France)
- Designer
- Mortain & Mavrikios
- Length
- 36.33 ft
- Waterline
- 30.08 ft
- Beam
- 12.33 ft
- Draft
- 5.83 ft
- Displacement
- 13,090 lb
- Ballast
- 3,528 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Fuel
- 42 gal
- Water heater
- engine + AC
- Number built
- 450
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- rack and pinion · Whitlock
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 42 gal
“Capacité carburant 160 L” — spec database (1999-2004), bateau.ouest-atlantis.com · “Gasoil: 160L” — search excerpt (2001), leboncoin.fr160 L = 42 US gal, agreeing with our earlier figure; only non-builder sources.
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Water unknown
“Capacité d'eau 360 L” — spec database (1999-2004), bateau.ouest-atlantis.com · “Eau: 360L” — search excerpt (2001), leboncoin.frOur earlier 90 gal (about 340 L, from sailboatdata/Practical Sailor) vs 360 L (95 gal) in a French boat database and a listing. A small gap, but unsettled; the builder spec sheet is in the Dufour Association's members-only archive.
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Water heater engine + AC
“boiler hot water system on engine + 220V” — broker listing (1999), devalk.nlOne broker listing (a 1999 boat) shows a calorifier, or hot-water tank, heated by the engine and 220 V shore power, with no size given. The Dufour Association's specification and brochure are for members only.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
Neither 2001-02 review mentions a thruster; one UK listing (a 1999-2000 boat) includes a bow thruster, a single boat. Builder documents on the Dufour Association site are for members only.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
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Steering rack and pinion · Whitlock
“The standard steering gear is Whitlock rack and pinion, which, in recent boat review outings, we've found quite responsi” — review (2002), practical-sailor.com · “The quality of the steering mechanism is from the standard Whitlock rack-and-pinion system, made of stainless steel” — review (2001), sailingmagazine.netTwo independent reviews agree: standard Whitlock rack-and-pinion pedestal steering with rod linkage, 32 in. wheel, emergency tiller through a deck fitting above the swim step.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on water tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Fin with spade rudder; iron ballast. Drive type not confirmed. No model-specific problem sources were read.
Engines fitted
-
Volvo Penta MD2030 (saildrive) — 30 hp, diesel, single
standard
Practical Sailor's review boat had a 30 hp Volvo 2030 on a saildrive with fixed two-blade prop; a 2003 hull is listed with a freshwater-cooled MD2030 30 hp on a saildrive.Sources: practical-sailor.com · plymouthyachts.co.uk
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Dufour 36 Classic specification, brochure and manual (members-only downloads) — dufour.org.uk
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Volvo Penta MD2010 / MD2020 / MD2030 / MD2040 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta MD2030 (saildrive)”
Shibaura-based small diesels (MD2030 is a 3-cylinder, 29 hp, built 1994–2006 per a Swedish rebuild shop). Parts are still sold through the Volvo Penta network and some cross-reference to related Shibaura engines; aftermarket stainless exhaust elbows (replacing Volvo 861906) are widely sold. Often paired with Volvo 120S/130S saildrives, whose rubber diaphragm seal Volvo says to replace at least every seven years.
Parts sources: AB Marine Service (exhaust elbow 861906), FYB Marine (saildrive diaphragm seal kit), Parts4Engines
Common problems (3)
-
Exhaust elbow corrosion and clogging exhaust
The cast exhaust elbow and pipe corrode or clog with seawater scale and carbon; stainless aftermarket elbows are a common fix.meksta.com · ab-marineservice.com
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Saildrive diaphragm seal replacement running gear
Volvo's 7-year saildrive diaphragm replacement (sometimes an insurance requirement) is a frequent question; DIY is possible in a day with a haul-out, while yard quotes vary widely.forums.ybw.com · bavariayacht.org · fybmarine.shop
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Blocked heat exchanger, broken impellers, glow plug faults cooling
Other frequent faults are internally blocked heat exchangers, disintegrating raw-water impellers, failed preheat/glow plugs and carboned injectors.meksta.com
Maker’s service schedule (20)
| Engine oil & filter change Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 100 hrs or 6 mo | “Service every 100 hours of operation, or at least once every 6 months” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Engine oil & filter change Later engines (2002 operator's manual 7741986: MS10/MS15 reverse gear / MS25S drive) | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 100 operating hours or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Service every 200 hours of operation, or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “every 200 hours, or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Service every 200 hours of operation, or at least once a year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check / adjust idling speed | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “every 200 hours, or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Take apart and clean the vacuum (siphon-break) valve | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Take apart and clean the vacuum valve, if fitted.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Lubricate the rubber propeller-shaft seal (shaft installations) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Lubricate the rubber propeller shaft seal (inboard engine).” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check S-drive / reverse-gear corrosion protection (zinc ring / anodes) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Check the S-drive’s zinc anode (zinc ring).” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Glycol antifreeze mixture (the normal fill) | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Anti-corrosion-agent mixture without glycol (later manual) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “If the freshwater system is filled with an anti-corrosion agent mixture it must be changed every year.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “Service every 400 hours of operation, or at least once every other year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “Check that the heat exchanger is not blocked.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Injector test / service | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Re-tighten cylinder head bolts (workshop) Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 400 hrs or 2 yrs | “every 400 hours, or at least once every other year:” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check the seawater filter Early engines (1993 instruction book 7735333-2: MS2 reverse gear / 120S drive) | 50 hrs | “Service every 50 hours of operation” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Check the S-drive rubber seal (hull/drive) Later engines (2002 operator's manual 7741986: MS10/MS15 reverse gear / MS25S drive) | 1 yr | “S-drive. Check rubber seal (hull/drive)” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations, workshop) | 500 hrs or 5 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least every fifth year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace S-drive rubber seal between drive and hull (workshop) | 7 yrs | “Every seventh year” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter MD2010 / MD2020 |
Volvo Penta 861473 | “p.90 "MD2010, MD2020, MD2030, MD2040" block: Oil filter (MD2010/2020) — 861473” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2020B … [OIL FILTER] Part Number: 861473” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Oil filter MD2030 / MD2040 |
Volvo Penta 3840525 | “p.90 "MD2010, MD2020, MD2030, MD2040" block: Oil filter (MD2030/2040) — 3840525” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2030B … [OIL FILTER] Part Number: 3840525” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Raw-water impeller MD2010 up to SN 5101203008; MD2020 up to SN 5101309052 (VP footnote 3) |
Volvo Penta 3586494 Also: Johnson 09-806B, Jabsco 4528-0001, Sherwood 9979 |
“p.90 "MD2010…MD2040" block: Impeller kit 3) — 3586494; 3) MD2010 SN -5101203008, MD2020 SN -5101309052” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “MD2010A**, MD2010B**, MD2010C, MD2010D / MD2020A**, MD2020B** … Volvo Penta: 875807-0 803729 3586494 876689” — dealer, poseidonmarine.eu |
| Raw-water impeller MD2030 / MD2040; MD2010 from SN 5101203009; MD2020 from SN 5101309053 (VP footnote 4) |
Volvo Penta 22222936 | “p.90 "MD2010…MD2040" block: Impeller kit (MD2030/2040) 4) — 22222936; 4) MD2010 SN 5101203009-, MD2020 SN 5101309053-” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “IMPELLER KIT … MD2010,MD2010B,MD2010-C,MD2010-D,MD2020,…,MD2030,…,MD2040-D” — dealer, volvopentaparts.shop |
| Thermostat MD2010 / MD2020 |
Volvo Penta 861911 | “Volvo Penta thermostat for various MD2010 and MD2020 engines … 861911” — dealer, ab-marineservice.com · “Fits engine versions MD2020-A, MD2020-B, MD2020-C, MD2020-D / Volvo thermostat part number 861911” — dealer, parts4engines.com |
| Thermostat MD2030 / MD2040 |
Volvo Penta 3580365 | “Thermostat designed to replace Volvo part numbers 3580365 … MD2030A … MD2040D” — dealer, piecesbateaux.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2030B … [THERMOSTAT] Part Number: 3580365” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Drive belt MD2010 / MD2020 (alternator, cogged V-belt) |
Volvo Penta 973534 Replaces 966898 |
“Current part number: 973534 Previous part number: 966898 … MD2010A … MD2020-D” — dealer, marinepartsystem.com · “# Volvo Penta MD2020B … [V-BELT] Part Number: 973534” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Whitlock (later Lewmar) — Cobra / Mk2 rack-and-pinion pedestal steering parts: scarce
Whitlock steering passed to Lewmar, whose representatives could not find schematics for older pedestals. Owners rebuild with generic engineering parts (rod ends, seals, bearings, bevel boxes, pillow blocks) and specialist suppliers such as Yacht Steering Services; PYI was formerly the US Whitlock distributor. Some replace the whole system with an Edson unit.
Parts sources: Lewmar (steering spares)
Common problems (2)
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Play in the wheel from worn gears and bearings steering
The helm bevel gears drift apart and wear, and bearings fail, producing slack; owners re-shim, replace bearings, or refurbish housings. A failing top bearing can let the rack slip on the pinion under load.cruisersforum.com · morganscloud.com · youtube.com
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Worn rod ends and seized housings steering
Rod ends lose their Teflon liners, input shaft seals disintegrate, and aluminum housings can seize to the pedestal.morganscloud.com · cruisersforum.com
Model sources (6)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · plymouthyachts.co.uk · bateau.ouest-atlantis.com · devalk.nl · sailingmagazine.net
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Other Dufour models
- Dufour Classic 35 1995–?
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.